World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone Is Thicker Than Before

I’ve had the chance to use the Honor Magic V5, which claims the title of the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone, a distinction that the Chinese brand aims to maintain into 2025.

Despite its sleek design, the Magic V5 is actually thicker in one significant way compared to its predecessor, the Magic V3, which previously held the same title, as well as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that was also in my pocket.

If you’re after the absolute thinnest model, there’s a particular color of the Magic V5 you’ll need to select. Unsure? Let me break it down for you.

The Color Dilemma

Honor does tell the truth—the Magic V5 is indeed as thin as advertised, and it looks like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 won’t surpass its thickness when it launches on July 9.

I’ve spent some time testing the Magic V5, and I must say, I’m quite impressed by the quality of hardware that Honor has incorporated. It feels both slim and premium, along with surprisingly robust durability.

However, there is a caveat regarding its measurements: when folded, the Magic V5 is 8.8mm thick, and 4.1mm when unfolded—at least when you choose the ‘Ivory White’ version, which is our first note of caution.

The Magic V5 is available in four colors, but only the white option can boast the measurements stated above, holding the title of the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone.

The other color variants (Black, Dawn Gold, and Reddish Brown) measure 9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, meaning they aren’t quite as slender as the Oppo Find N5, which the V5 outshines for the thinnest title. They’re still impressive, but not quite as extraordinarily slim.

The Thickness Comparison

While the majority of the V5 maintains its touted slim profile, there’s an exception: the camera bump.

Camera bumps are somewhat of a standard issue, as manufacturers try to balance a sleek design with powerful camera capabilities.

Honor disclosed that it didn’t want to compromise on its camera features, resulting in a noticeable bump on the rear of the device.

This bump is indeed larger than what was found on the Magic V3, and it makes the Magic V5 deeper at its thickest point compared to both its predecessor and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

While Honor is transparent about these dimensions, similar tactics are employed by nearly all mobile phone manufacturers when showcasing device thickness. This reminds me of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc from 2011, which measured 8.7mm at its thinnest part—a notable achievement at that time.

Though this additional bulk doesn’t heavily impact how the Magic V5 functions, placing it on a tabletop results in a noticeable angle due to its design.

It easily fits into your jeans pocket; however, you might find that the bump snags at the opening if you’re inserting it base-first.

In summary, the Honor Magic V5 showcases a significant advancement in foldable design. It truly is the thinnest foldable phone available—assuming you opt for the right color and can overlook that pronounced bulge.